Ash pan



W. G. BLCK Asa PAN Filed June 14 1926 i5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fafilahm, @CBlu/f, @W1 11.11111. @0m/79H11 Oct. 15, 1929.. W. G. BLACK ASH PAN.Filed June 14 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Eg/67m?. mm-Em bluff" Oct. 15,1929. w. G. BLACK ASH PAN Filed June 14 192e 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 naemto( 1KJV/2m @www Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAMG. BLACK, OF CLEVELAND, `OIE-IIC), ASSIGNOR 'IO THE CAST STEEL DEVICESCOMPANY, OF LIMA, OIIIO, .A CORPORATION 0F OHIO ASI-I PAN Applicationfiled June 14,

This invention relates to improvements in ash pans for steamlocomotives, and has for its principal object to provide a new andimproved construction for devices of the` character describe-d.

As heretofore constructed, locomotive ash pans are located below thegrate bars of the lire box and have ordinarily been formed of platesteel with the sides thereof inclined downwardly towards a centrallydisposed hopper. In such constructions the main draft openings haveheretofore been provided immediately adjacent the side walls of the firebox and above the side edges of the ash pan. It has been found that thecold air rushing along the lire box sides has a tendency to expand andto contract the stay bolts, causing continual leakage and frequentadjustment thereof. This also has a detrimental effect on the iireitself, causing it to burn more rapidly along the sides of the fire boXthan at the center. There is a further danger with the prior arrangementreferred to, that a strong side draft may carry sparks and cinders overthe edge of the ash pan, thereby endangering surrounding property.

In carrying out my present invention I produce an improved construction,preferably formed of steel castings, in which the side plates of the ashpan consist of two layers spaced vertically from each other to formlouvres on each side, but with the sides sloping downwardly so that thelouvre opens in a downwardly inclined direction. With this constructionthe cold air is admitted through the louvres well below the grates,being first directed inwardly and downwardly so that its natural coursewill thence be upwardly towards the center of the fire, so as to give amore even distribution of draft thereto. This construction alsoeliminates the trouble exA perienced by the admission of cold airdirectly along the sides of the fire box, as above described. In thepresent invention I also provi-de means for admitting air from the frontof the ash pan, in proportion to the speed of the locomotive. Otherfeatures of advantage will also appear from the following description.

In the drawings,

1926. Serial No. 115,789.

Figure 1 is a side view of an ash pan constructed in accordance with myinvention, but removed from the locomotive.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, andindicating the position of the pan relative to the grate bars and fireboX of a locomotive.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, but drawn ona somewhat smaller scale than the previous figure.

Figure l is a plan view of the ash pan shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail section showing a draft opening at the front end ofthe ash pan, taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to details shown in the drawings, the ash pan shown is made upof two sets of plates 10 an-d 11, forming the downwardly inclined sidesthereof, front and rear plates 12 and 13 and a centrally disposed hopper14. Various connecting-lugs 15, 15 are provided at which points theseveral parts may be secured together, as by riveting or welding.

In the preferred form shown each of the side plates l() consist of twoparts 10EL and 10", joined together with a lapping joint 10C. Similarlythe side plates 11 each consist of two parts 11a and 11b joined togetherby a lapping joint 110. The two-part construction of plates 10 and 11shown herein is provided for convenience in handling such relativelylarge cast plates, although after they are joined together both platesserve as integral members. It will be understood that the plates can beformed in a single piece, if de sired, and for the purpose of thepresent de scription these side plates will hereinafter be referred toas unitary members 10 and 11 respectively.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 the arrangement and means for connectingside plates 10 and 11 will be clear. rIhe lower margin 20 of each plate10 overlaps the upper margin of adjacent plate 11 but spaced in verticalrelation thereto by means of connecting studs 2.2*22 In the form shownthe studs are cast integral with one of the plates as for instance, theupper plate 10, and are provided with a bore 2e therein, through which20, ff neath the fire box of the locomotive 1n any 2 i. I, I .I

rivets may bev placed for securing the plates 10 and 11 together.

As shown in the various figures, the connecting studs 22-22 are arrangedin -two rows and in staggering relation to each other along each side ofthe ash pan, thereby forming a `louvre 23 along each side of the pan andopening downwardly at the same inclination as the adjacent portions ofthe side plates 10 and 11.

I also provide an opening in end plate 12, said end plate having arearward extending flange or hood 31 to prevent ashes dropping outthrough the opening 30, as clearly shown in the detail Figure 5. Bymeans of this openingair is admitted beneath the grates, andcentra-llythereof, in proportion to the speed of the locomotive.

When in use, the ash pan constructed in accordance with my invention, issecured besuitable manner. The relative position of the ash pan isclearly indicated in Figure 2, in which grates 35 of any suitable formare mounted on side beams 36, 36, and a center beam 37. The lower partsofthe fire boX are indicated at 38-38 and outer walls at `39-39.FromyFigure 2 it will be seen ythat the space beneath thev grates issubstantially closed I along the lower Vedges 'of the lire boX.

l Means are also provided for permitting cleaning the ash pan, hereinconsisting of an opening 40 formed along the upper edge of the sideplates 10-10 and normally covered b a'hing'ed lid 41441, which may besuitably connected, as for instance to the outer wall 39, Vras shown.Manifestly these hinged lids Vmay also be hinged directly tothe endplates 12 and 13, if desired. The arrangement is suchV that "thesehinged lids are normally closed, but may be raised whenever itisj'desired'to clean or scrape the upper surface of the ash pan portionsVlll-10. The 'upper surfacesl of the Vplates 11-11 may be readilyreached for 'cleaning through the louvres 23-23.

' From the above description it ywill now be clear `that the draft tothe fire boX will be ad- `in'ittedthrough thelouvres 23-23 at a pointwell below the sides of the fire box, and directtowards the center ofthe fire so as to give an even distribution of draft thereto. Thelouvres are Vformed in a simple and economical manner, from the twoparts 10 and 11 of the side plates, which furthermore readily lendthemselves to cleaning as described. The construction of the inventionis particularly `adapted' for manufacture from steel castings, asdescribed.

While I have illustrated and described the particu-lar' embodiment of myinvention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited 'totheexact construction shown and described,lbut that various changes andmodifieatfionspmay -be madey kwithout departing W. G. BLACK.

